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To Save Some
by Melissa Roe
During his presidency, Ronald Reagan visited a school for the blind. His reputation as being the Great Communicator was appropriately fulfilled when he greeted each student. Knowing that the blind see with their other senses, the stalwart political leader of the free world dropped to his knees and requested each child to file past him feeling his facial features in order to give them a proper greeting.
“ To the weak became I as weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” I Corinthians 9:22
When the Apostle Paul penned the all things verse, he did so in direct reference to ministry and the lasting results gained by exacting that one thread of communication leading to the opening of the eyes a soul. As missionaries, we have the challenge of probing for opportunities to enlist an all things method of ministry. The all-inclusive word “save” in the same verse implies a ministering beyond salvation. It is not limited to the presentation of the Gospel message alone, but also includes preservation, healing and deliverance. Thus, an all things mentality of ministry accrues a varied palette of colors.
I had a dear college teacher that arrested my attention with a memorable lecture entitled “Leave Your World and Enter Theirs.” Her wisdom has accompanied me to many places and led me to the all things way of ministry. Even with my limited repertoire of experience, I have witnessed the opening of hearts by this approach. Perhaps more trust is gained by the hearers or more credibility given to the proclaimer.
While ministering in Canada, a teen girl lived next to us who attended our church regularly. I made it a point to accompany her to the public school talent show where many of her friends performed. We sat together and endured off key singing, poorly told jokes and even a pet routine with a tiny lap dog. Our friendship deepened as I had crossed the line from pastor’s wife to co-sufferer of the talent show. Through the years, as she matured as a Christian, she referred back to that night with fondness. It was truly a small act on my part; nevertheless, I was drawn into her world.
In Cuba, where mission work is quite covert, we soon tired of the apparent wall of separation preventing us from being received by our neighbors. Ministry had been slow and despite our efforts to penetrate the façade of a culture plagued by suspicion, wary eyes were upon us. Each year in celebration of the victory of the Communist party, neighborhoods have parties in the street where all contribute to the making of a large kettle of Socialist Soup. I timidly offered my handful of carrots and potatoes then stayed for the children’s program and even the lecture by the communist leader of our block. A marked change occurred in our acceptance following that evening. The all things approach had gained us favor among our neighbors. Soon after, I was pleased to hear my name called by neighbors as I walked to the market. Smiles and kisses from children became my delight as their mothers gave me cut flowers from their yards. Doors opened to us that would have otherwise been closed.
An all things mentality can promote understanding and compassion in friendship as well as ministry. I chose to read a most disturbing book about child abuse that had been written by the victim. The author described the injurious emotional pain that resulted from the abuse. Although such deeds inflicted by a mother are far from my comprehension, I gained a glimpse into the hurt of a friend who had likewise been scarred. The all things mentality can help us be the balm that heals and delivers.
In a side-by-side study of the methods used by American Board missionaries serving in Hawaii and India in the early 1800’s, I discerned an all things philosophy followed by the Indian team but not by those pioneering in Hawaii. In all fairness to the early Hawaiian missionaries, their circumstances were such that entering fully into the lives of the nationals was nearly impossible for reasons of morality and safety. The Hawaiian missionaries led cloistered lives with the women and children having very little contact with the natives. In stark contrast, those immersed in the Indians’ lives practiced an all things ministry with the results still evident today. Souls were won and Christians discipled by this very involved team of missionaries who literally left their world and entered that of the natives.
As missionaries, we have most likely been guilty of a “my thing” method of ministry. In looking back, when I did promote my thing, I surely must have been merely tolerable and even unsubstantiated as I sought to share Christ. Quite plainly, the all things method has earned me the right to continue with the gospel.
Melissa Roe
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